Stewart v. Social Security Administration

Filing 18

ORDER granting pltf's 15 Motion for Attorney's Fees in the amount of $1,465.37 (inclusive of fees and expenses) pursuant to the EAJA. Signed by Magistrate Judge H. David Young on 5/9/11. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HELENA DIVISION

CURTIS STEWART

VS.

PLAINTIFF

CASE NO. 2:10CV00102 HDY

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

DEFENDANT

ORDER

Now before the Court is the plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s fees and expenses pursuant to
the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412. The defendant does not oppose the
amount of the award, but urges that the award be made payable to the plaintiff, not his attorney. See
Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S. Ct. 2521 (2010).

We grant the motion, approving an EAJA award in the amount of $1,465.37 (inclusive
of fees and expenses). We find nothing unreasonable about the hours of work performed or the
hourly rate requested. Because the award belongs to the plaintiff, and not her attorney, as set forth
in Astrue v. Ratliff, 130 S. Ct. 2521 (2010), the Department of Treasury shall issue payment of this
award by check made payable to the plaintiff, in care of his attorney, Mr. Anthony W. Bartels, and
shall mail the check to Bartels at his Jonesboro, Arkansas, address.1

1

The general procedure the Commissioner now follows in effectuating court orders
awarding EAJA fees to the claimant is as follows: The Commissioner certifies the order to the
Department of the Treasury for payment. Afterward, the Department of Treasury issues payment
by check to the order of the plaintiff, in care of his attorney, and mails the check to the plaintiff’s
1

IT IS SO ORDERED this

9 day of May, 2011.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

attorney. See Chapman v. Astrue, 3:10CV00047 HDY, Document 20.
2